Dancing With The Stars: New Pair Tops Leaderboard

First Published: April 2, 2013 9:36 AM EDT Credit: ABC

Caption Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough, Season 16, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- “Dancing with the Stars” has a new pair at the top of the leaderboard.

Former “American Idol” contender Kellie Pickler and pro Derek Hough stormed their way to the top of the leaderboard on Monday night’s show.

PHOTOS: ‘Dancing With the Stars’ — Scenes & Moves From Week 2

After two weeks in the shadow of Zendaya and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, the twosome made their move with a hot jive to “Footloose.”

“There’s nothing loose about that performance,” judge Bruno Tonioli, who had a bit of a wild night in the ballroom during his commentary portion, raved. “Crisp! Tight! Precise! Actually, you’re sharper than a samurai sword.”

Carrie Ann Inaba was also floored by the pair’s energetic routine.

“That was ridiculously amazing,” she said.

WATCH IT NOW: Kellie Pickler Jazzes It Up On ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Kellie and Derek’s score – 25 out of 30 (including a 9 from Brit Len Goodman) — knocked Zendaya and Val, the previous pair at the top of the leaderboard, from the No. 1 slot.

But the Disney teen and her partner didn’t fall far. Performing the Viennese waltz for Zendaya’s grandmother, the actress and Val picked up 24 points.

“The emotional connection to every single move is beyond your years,” Carrie Ann said. “You are just fascinating to watch.”

PHOTOS: ‘Dancing’s’ Val Chmerkovskiy

Zendaya and Val actually shared second place with Jacoby Jones and Karina Smirnoff, who were in fourth just one week ago in the competition.

The football star and Karina rocked their rumba to the tune of 24 points.

“This had a refinement, it had a quality of movement,” Len said. “You did a good job there, Jacoby!”

The leaderboard on Monday night was:

Kellie Pickler & Derek Hough tackled the jive and were scored 25/30

Zendaya & Valentin Chmerkovskiy performed the Viennese waltz and earned 24/30

Jacoby Jones & Karina Smirnoff rocked the rumba and earned 24/30

WATCH IT NOW: Lisa Vanderpump Still Having ‘A Lot Of Fun’ On ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Aly Raisman & Mark Ballas performed the Viennese waltz and were scored 23/30

Victor Ortiz & Lyndsey Arnold tried contemporary and earned 23/30

Ingo Rademacher & Kym Johnson performed the paso doble and earned 21/30

Sean Lowe & Peta Murgatroyd tried the cha cha and earned 21/30

Lisa Vanderpump & Gleb Savchenko danced the Viennese waltz and were scored 21/30

Andy Dick & Sharna Burgess took on the cha cha and earned 18/30

D.L. Hughley & Cheryl Burke performed the salsa and earned 16/30

Wynonna Judd and Tony Dovolani tackled the samba and were scored 15/30

Copyright 2013 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View the original article here